Author: Ray Hanania

Ray Hanania is an award-winning opinion columnist, author & former Chicago City Hall reporter (1977-1992). A veteran who served during the Vietnam War and the recipient of four SPJ Peter Lisagor Awards for column writing, Hanania writes weekly opinion columns on mainstream American & Chicagoland topics for the Southwest News-Herald, Des Plaines Valley News, the Regional News, The Reporter Newspapers, and Suburban Chicagoland. His award winning columns can be found at www.HANANIA.COM Subscribe FREE today Hanania also writes about Middle East issues for the Arab News, and The Arab Daily News criticizing government policies in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Hanania was named "Best Ethnic American Columnist" by the New America Media in November 2007, and is the 2009 recipient of the SPJ National Sigma Delta Chi Award for column writing. Email Ray Hanania at [email protected]. Follow RayHanania at Twitter

Pritzker announces schedule for inauguration, and new appointments

January 9, 2019January 9, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Pritzker announces schedule for inauguration, and new appointments Governor-elect J.B. Pritzker also announced plans to give his top cabinet members a 15 percent raise, and is rumored to be preparing to demand resignations of all appointees on state-held boards and commissions Today, the Pritzker-Stratton Inaugural Committee announced the schedule of weekend events leading up to the inauguration on…

Government, Illinois Legislature, News, Politics

Wolves Hockey Team lights up the ice

January 8, 2019November 29, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Wolves Hockey Team lights up the ice Wolves light up the ice at the Allstate Arena in a game against the San Antonio Rampage. It’s phenomenal hockey and sports excitement from start to finish By Ray Hanania The American League hockey team the Chicago Wolves trounced the San Antonio Rampage this past week 3 to…

Blogger, Commentary, Entertainment, Features, Opinion, Orland Park, rayhanania, Sports, Suburban Chicagoland

Manteno Veteran’s Home takes precautions after a single Legionnaires’ disease case is identified

January 8, 2019January 8, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Manteno Veteran’s Home takes precautions after a single Legionnaires’ disease case is identified Manteno – The Illinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs (IDVA) was notified this morning regarding a confirmed case of Legionnaires’ disease (legionellosis) in a resident of the Manteno Veterans’ Home. Upon being notified, the IDVA activated their contingency plans at the Home. After…

breaking news

Gelsosomo’s in Lemont offers great food and hilarious comedy shows

January 8, 2019November 29, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Gelsosomo’s in Lemont offers great food and hilarious comedy shows There are not a lot of comedy clubs in Chicago’s Southwest Suburbs but two stand out you should visit, Riddles in Alsip and Gelsosomo’s in Lemont. Riddles offers the traditional award winning comedy experience while Gelsosomo’s offers a mix that includes music entertainment, great Italian food…

Blogger, Comedy, Commentary, Entertainment, Features, food, General Topics, Opinion, Orland Park, rayhanania, Suburban Chicagoland, Theater

Multi-Agency collaboration reduces backlog at the Illinois Human Rights Commission

January 8, 2019January 8, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Multi-Agency collaboration reduces backlog at the Illinois Human Rights Commission The Illinois Human Rights Commission (HRC) is releasing its first Progress Report on transforming service delivery and addressing the backlog of cases pending before the HRC. The report comes in response to Executive Order 18-08, issued by Gov. Bruce Rauner in June, which required the…

Government, Illinois Legislature, News, news release, Politics, Releases

Danztheatre Ensemble presents “Getting Old Sucks”

January 7, 2019January 7, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Danztheatre Ensemble presents “Getting Old Sucks” Getting Old Sucks is a Danztheatre work exploring the universality of aging through individual experiences. Getting Old Sucks runs Fridays and Saturdays, 8pm, and Sundays, 3pm, February 22 through March 3, 2019 at Ebenezer Lutheran Church (1650 W. Foster Ave., Chicago). What does aging mean to you?: Getting Old Sucks,…

Entertainment, Features, News, Theater

Steppenwolf Theater announcers premier of “The Children”

January 7, 2019January 7, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Steppenwolf Theater announcers premier of “The Children” Steppenwolf Theatre Company presents the Chicago premiere of The Children written by Lucy Kirkwood and helmed by celebrated Chicago director Jonathan Berry. The cast includes previously announced ensemble members Ora Jones (Rose) and Yasen Peyankov (Robin), with acclaimed actress Janet Ulrich Brooks (Hazel) rounding out the cast. Following…

Entertainment, Features, News, Theater

Orland Mayor endorses trustee slate led by Cindy Katsenes

January 6, 2019November 29, 2019 Ray Hanania 1 Comment

Orland Mayor endorses trustee slate led by Cindy Katsenes Pettiness by the Orland Park Village board against Mayor Keith Pekau will have a huge impact on the outcome of the April 2 Trustee elections where two slates will face off. Pekau has endorsed a slate led by Cindy Katsenes while the board trustees are backing…

Blogger, Commentary, Government, Opinion, Orland Park, Politics, rayhanania, Suburban Chicagoland

District 103 School Candidates launch Facebook Page

January 5, 2019January 6, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

District 103 School Candidates launch Facebook Page The candidates for School District 103 launched a new Facebook Page, Parents for Student Excellence, to promote their candidacies and to also promote issues and events related to the controversy-plagued School District 103. School District 103 serves 2,400 students living in Brookfield, Forest View, Lyons, McCook and Stickney….

Education, elections, Government, News, Suburban Chicagoland

Laws needed to regulate credit card interest rates

January 2, 2019November 29, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Laws needed to regulate credit card interest rates There are a lot of challenges facing American consumers, from rising taxes, government corruption and increasing crime, to failing education and deteriorating product quality. But one of the worst challenges facing the American consumer and American taxpayers is the unregulated credit card banking industry. This week, they…

Baby Boomers, Blogger, Business, Commentary, Editors Pick, Features, Government, Opinion, rayhanania, Taxes

A few thoughts and best wishes for the New Year

January 1, 2019January 1, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

A few thoughts and best wishes for the New Year By Jerry Field There may be a time when we need to combine both to address several serious situations within the Veteran community. Suicide rates run about 20 persons per week nationwide; the homeless population is increasing; unemployment among Veterans is way above the national…

Veterans Column

Pappas refunds taxes to 30,000 Cook County homeowners

December 31, 2018January 6, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Pappas refunds taxes to 30,000 Cook County homeowners Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas helped taxpayers cut through the county’s bureaucracy and ordered refunds of more than $8.3 million to 30,000 homeowners who qualified for refunds but failed to apply. Pappas said the refunds were made without the taxpayers having to file refund request forms The…

Chicago, Editors Pick, Government, News, Orland Park, Suburban Chicagoland, Taxes

Let “Sub-Urban” voters vote for Chicago mayor

December 29, 2018November 29, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Let “Sub-Urban” voters vote for Chicago mayor Or, how the Suburbs got their name. Suburban residents should have the right to vote to select Chicago’s next mayor since Chicago survives not only on the taxes it collects from its residents but from nearly 30 percent of the taxes collected from residents who live in the…

Baby Boomers, Blogger, Chicago, Commentary, elections, Government, Opinion, Orland Park, Politics, rayhanania, Seniors, Suburban Chicagoland, Taxes

Men turn into zombie customers during last-minute holiday rush

December 22, 2018November 29, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Men turn into zombie customers during last-minute holiday rush As the calendar approaches the Christmas holidays, men experience a transformation, turning into addled, confused zombies desperately searching for the last-minute gift for their wives, girlfriends and significant others. Although the retail business has a name for every experience, they haven’t figured this male zombie shopper…

Baby Boomers, Blogger, Business, Commentary, Entertainment, Features, Humor, Opinion, rayhanania

Paul Ciolino co-hosts new WLS radio show on crime

December 22, 2018December 22, 2018 Ray Hanania No Comments

Paul Ciolino co-hosts new WLS radio show on crime Reavis High school graduate and criminal investigator Paul Ciolino is the co-host with former police officer and attorney Lupe Aguirre of The POPO Report every Saturday night on WLS AM 890 Radio from 7 to 9 PM (Chicago time). Each week, the show examines stories about…

Chicago, Crime, Entertainment, Features, General Topics, National, News, Politics, Radio

Tollway contracts $83 million for professional engineering and road construction for December

December 21, 2018January 6, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Tollway contracts $83 million for professional engineering and road construction for December Illinois Tollway awards more than $83 million in contracts for construction and professional engineering services in December. Nearly $6.3 billion invested since start of Move Illinois Program The Illinois Tollway Board of Directors today approved five construction contracts and three professional engineering service contracts…

Government, News, Suburban Chicagoland, Transportation

Have we lost our family focus this holiday season?

December 21, 2018November 29, 2019 Ray Hanania 1 Comment

Have we lost our family focus this holiday season? Christmas isn’t about family any more. It’s about commerce, money and spending. And that’s too bad. It’s a holiday season that should be enjoyed by families with a focus on families, not on spending money By Ray Hanania Next week will be Christmas and I bet…

Baby Boomers, Blogger, Commentary, Festival, Opinion, rayhanania, Religion

Kevin Hart and the real problem with the Oscars

December 21, 2018November 29, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Kevin Hart and the real problem with the Oscars Comedian Kevin Hart made a comedy joke that lampooned Gays and he was quickly tossed from hosting this year’s Oscars. But the real controversy is the Oscars. Are they even relevant anymore? By Ray Hanania I wish the Oscars reacted to complaints as fast and as…

Blogger, Comedy, Commentary, Entertainment, Opinion, Politics, rayhanania